Deacon Laurence Gagnon Sex Abuse Lawsuit
For more than 30 years, Deacon Laurence Gagnon was a member of the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, until his removal from ministry in 2011 for the sexual abuse of at least three children. Even though Gagnon has since died, those sexually abused by him may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the institutions that enabled the abuse. Contact Helping Survivors to get connected with a Rhode Island clergy abuse attorney to learn more about your rights and options.
- Laurence Gagnon was convicted on charges of sexually abusing at least three minor boys while he served as a deacon with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island.
- If Deacon Laurence Gagnon sexually abused you, no matter how long ago it occurred, you have legal rights and options for holding the responsible parties accountable.
- In Rhode Island, survivors of child sexual abuse now have until June 30, 2028, to file lawsuits against the perpetrators and enablers of the abuse, regardless of how long ago the harm occurred.
Allegations of Sexual Abuse Against Deacon Laurence Gagnon
Deacon Laurence Gagnon was a clergy member who served in the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island. He was ordained for the permanent diaconate in 1979 and served at West View Nursing Home until 1990. Gagnon then worked as a teacher at St. Joseph Parish in West Warwick from 1990 until 2011, when he resigned after being accused of inappropriately touching at least three sixth-grade boys.
Gagnon was arrested in late 2011 and charged with 14 counts of second-degree child molestation, and was released on bail after confessing. At least six accusers said the deacon touched their genitals regularly and frequently pulled their pants down at St. Joseph Parish.
He was removed from ministry, pleaded no contest to three counts of child molestation, and served one year in prison from 2013 to 2014. He died in 2021.
Legal Action Against Deacon Laurence Gagnon
Rhode Island opened a two-year lookback window for all child sexual abuse cases in July 2026. At least 33 cases were filed on the first day alone, including at least one regarding alleged abuse by Deacon Laurence Gagnon. The lawsuits assert that the diocese knew or should have known about the sexual crimes its clergy members and employees were committing against children. However, the diocese allegedly covered up the abuse to protect the church, no matter the cost to children.
The lawsuits claim that church officials concealed reports of abuse, failed to disclose known dangers posed by clergy members, transferred accused clergy while withholding reasons, and misrepresented that they were safe to work with children.
Survivors of abuse by Deacon Laurence Gagnon or other clergy members may still be entitled to file lawsuits against the diocese or other oversight agencies, even if the clergy member who engaged in the misconduct is now deceased.
How the Church Enabled Gagnon’s Abuse
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha has compiled a report documenting the abuse and listing the credibly accused clergy. According to the report, several church officials were involved in covering up and excusing Deacon Laurence Gagnon’s sexual misconduct.
The report asserts that after the original three assaults were reported, the Director of the Diocese Office of Education and Compliance, Robert McCarthy, met with the school principal and the pastor of St. Joseph Paris. The pastor allegedly said he would not have terminated Gagnon if he had known about the incident, and that he would have told him to “get in the shadows” until it played out. McCarthy reportedly said he viewed Gagnon’s acts not as criminal but as “poor judgment.”
Investigatory documents also revealed that McCarthy did not attempt to interview the complainants or their parents and did not report Gagnon’s admission to law enforcement.
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Rights of Survivors in Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases in Rhode Island
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island has a documented history of clergy abuse. The recent investigation by the Rhode Island Attorney General found that 75 clergy members from the diocese allegedly abused more than 300 children between 1950 and 2022.
In 2026, Rhode Island established a two-year revival window for childhood sexual abuse claims, allowing survivors to file lawsuits against both perpetrators and responsible institutions, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. This window is open from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. Survivors have the right to report abuse to law enforcement, state oversight agencies, and the diocese, and may also have the right to file a lawsuit under the lookback window.
Report to Law Enforcement & State Oversight Agencies
You can report Rhode Island clergy abuse by Deacon Laurence Gagnon or other clergy members to law enforcement and oversight agencies using the contact information below:
- Rhode Island State Police Special Victims Unit dedicated clergy abuse hotline at (401) 764-0142
- RI Child Protective Services (Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline) at 1-800-742-4453 (1-800-RI-CHILD)
- The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office at (401) 274-4400
Report to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence
Even though Deacon Laurence Gagnon is deceased, you can still report Catholic clergy abuse by him or other clergy members in Rhode Island to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence.
- Office of Compliance: Contact Co-Director Kevin O’Brien at (401) 941-0760 or email kobrien@dpvd.org.
- Victim Assistance Coordinator: Contact Dr. Michael Hansen, Director of the Office of Outreach and Prevention, at (401) 946-0728 or email mhansen@dpvd.org.
File a Civil Lawsuit Against Deacon Laurence Gagnon & His Employers
If Deacon Laurence Gagnon or another Rhode Island clergy member has sexually abused you or a loved one—even if it was years or decades ago—you have legal options for seeking accountability. Among those options is the filing of a civil lawsuit, which allows survivors to seek compensation from the enablers of abuse, such as the diocese and church officials.
In 2026, Rhode Island enacted a two-year “lookback window” allowing survivors of child sexual abuse to file claims that were previously time-barred. The lookback window runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028.
Helping Survivors connects you with our legal partners, who provide legal representation to abuse survivors and pursue civil lawsuits on their behalf. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and dedicated support throughout the process
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